TV critic Matthew Gilbert took your questions
August 14, 2008
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Boston Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert was online Aug. 14 at noon to field your questions and comments. Miss the chat? Catch up here.
The transcript follows.
Matthew_Gilbert: Good afternoon, friends.
manda125__Guest_: What summer series did you get hooked on?
Matthew_Gilbert: I have to admit that I've become quite attached to Swingtown. It's a little bit flat, except the women on the show are excellent, especially Molly Parker. Also, the writers have restrained themselves from any knee-jerk morality about wife-swapping. The show is a decent melodrama about the challenges of monogamy.
just_wondering__Guest_: What do you think about that ridiculous Bravo show "Date my Ex"?
Matthew_Gilbert: I don't think about it. It's too ridiculous. A sequel of a bad reality -- great idea.
Christopher__Guest_: What kind of ratings does Mad Men get?
Matthew_Gilbert: Not great, about a million. But so many people watch it on demand, or on DVD, I don't think that number represents the viewership reality.
puzzled__Guest_: so do you have a favorite actor/actress?
Matthew_Gilbert: You mean like one favorite in the whole wide world?
Matthew_Gilbert: You mean like Meryl Streep or something?
Matthew_Gilbert: Today, I'm really into Molly Parker from Swingtown. She was on Deadwood, and amazing there, too. She's so earthy and yet complicated.
lostfan__Guest_: What's the word on the new season of Pushing Daisies?
Matthew_Gilbert: I've heard the new season is going to be a little less...bizarre and surreal. We'll see. I'm looking forward to it, but I never really fell in love with the show. A little too fairy taley to be truly affecting, I thought.
manda125__Guest_: What are your thoughts on this upcoming tv season
Matthew_Gilbert: It's a strange year, indeed, because the networks don't have many new shows on the way, and most of those new shows aren't yet available for preview. The writers' strike has thrown everything way off.
Matthew_Gilbert: Which is a long way of saying that I have no thoughts, because I've seen so little.
Matthew_Gilbert: I'm most psyched about Fringe, the new JJ Abrams show that will be on Fox. I should be getting my first advance episode tomorrow or monday....
manda125__Guest_: Are you as excited as I am for the new season of One Tree Hill?
Matthew_Gilbert: Uh. No.
Annie__Guest_: I watched about 15 minutes of Wipeout the other day. I couldn't tolerate any more. Please tell me that you've seen it, and that it's not just the same exact course on repeat every two seconds.
Matthew_Gilbert: It's the same course on repeat, except it's not.
Annie__Guest_: I adore Mary Tyler Moore, and was surprised to see that she's going to be a new addition to Lipstick Jungle--I haven't heard anything positive about that show, and was wondering your thoughts about it, and if you know anything about MTM's role?
Matthew_Gilbert: I was surprised, too. But NBC is really behind the show, and I keep seeing lots of ads for it. She'll be playing Brooke Shields' mother, I believe.
Matthew_Gilbert: I think the show is warmed over Sex and the City. Really disappointing. But maybe it will ...mature...this season.
jmg__Guest_: Do you think 24 will return to it's former glory? Last season was awful, but it used to be the best show.
Matthew_Gilbert: I will be very surprised if 24 rebounds. The formula for the show is just played out, I think. The 24 real time approach to suspense has no new places to go. Fox is airing a two-hour 24 movie in the fall -- maybe that will work better than an entire season?
lostfan__Guest_: What do you think will be the surprise hit of the fall among the new shows?
Matthew_Gilbert: I'm curious about Kath and Kim, with Molly Shannon, and I'm looking forward to Fringe. But if those shows find an audience, I won't be surprised....
jmg__Guest_: Agreed, 24 was getting repetitive. I am also a huge fan of The Office. They always seem to surprise with the story lines and move them along pretty quickly. Any scoop on what to expect this year?
Matthew_Gilbert: I know that Amy Ryan will be back, which is a good thing. She was Toby's replacement in the season finale.
stanley_neptune__Guest_: How is Mad Men doing in season 2?
Matthew_Gilbert: OK, about a million viewers. All that major press did not turn the series into a Sopranos-sized hit. But, as I wrote earlier, I think most people watch this show on demand and on DVD... so that number may not refect the reality.
Fat_Face_Rick__Guest_: What's next for David Simon? I read something about based in New Orleans?
Matthew_Gilbert: Yes, he's doing an HBO drama set in post-Katrina New Orleans. Khandi Alexander is starring, which is great. She was amazing in Simon's miniseries "The Corner."
scarlet_woman__Guest_: have you heard anything about the office spin off? I feel like if it's ain't broke, don't fix it... do you think they're gonna mess it all up?
Matthew_Gilbert: Of course they will mess it all up, scarlet. Right? NBC has a history of sloppiness with its best shows (ahem, Heroes, ahem).
Matthew_Gilbert: The Office is already losing some of its distinctiveness, which is too bad. And a spin-off -- and all the energy that takes -- isn't going to help.
inorout__Guest_: What's the latest on ProRun's move from Bravo to Lifetime? I'm afraid the show will go downhill and become all smaltzy and touchy feely and lose the snarkiness. Let's design clothing for every body type! Let's talk about the personal struggles all the designers have overcome to get here! Ugh.
Matthew_Gilbert: You may be right about Project Runway's forthcoming move to Lifetime. But I think that, while Lifetime still does the feel-good women's stuff, such as "How to Look Good Naked," the channel has also been trying to change its image, to be a little more fun and hip.
Ms_Fit__Guest_: Hi Matthew. That Girl used to be one of my favorite shows as a kid. But it's not on DVD. Any idea why?
Matthew_Gilbert: It IS on DVD, Misfit. I own it already... Came out a year or two ago.
c__Guest_: Season 5 Episode 1 of Lost has a name according to sources: "Because You Left." Can we get excited yet?
Matthew_Gilbert: How many letters are in that episode title, c?
Ms_Fit__Guest_: Can I come over and watch it? It's still on my saved list on Netflix.
Matthew_Gilbert: Oh donald...
Ms_Fit__Guest_: What do you think of Californiacation? Just started watching Season 1...I may never be able to use LOL again.
Matthew_Gilbert: I really liked Californication. The first few episodes were a little repetitive, as the writers tried to establish David Duchovny's Hank as a man on a downward spiral of self-destruction. But the season really took off, and I LOVED the way it ended. And Duchovny was excellent. He deserved an Emmy nomination...
Ms_Fit__Guest_: And DD's got a cute butt too!
Matthew_Gilbert: So naughty, Ms Fit!
fendawg: Speaking of Californication, is Showtime the new standard in cable tv? Seems like the balance of quality has shifted from HBO. IMO.
Matthew_Gilbert: HBO is building up to a new barrage of new stuff, so don't count it out. But with Dexter, Californication, and a few other shows, Showtime is really doing a good job right now.
Matthew_Gilbert: I've loved Generation Kill on HBO, and I'm looking forward to Entourage and Flight of the Conchords, as well as the new Alan Ball series due in September, so I wouldn't want to make the HBO vs. Showtime comtest more extreme than it is.
chikt__Guest_: Now Starz has a new show coming out too...do you think all the movie channels will start doing their own programming? It seems to be a trend.
Matthew_Gilbert: Every cable channel wants a breakthrough series like "Man Men." One series can bring an entire network into vogue. It will be very interesting to see how AMC builds on Mad Men over the next few years.
Matthew_Gilbert: Once you get viewers into your environment, or your brand, you can sell them on other shows.
LostFan789__Guest_: I'm seeing the promos for Heroes, but I never thought I'd say this: If they don't get me in two or three episodes, I may be done with it! Is there something wrong with me?
Matthew_Gilbert: I appreciate your desire to be loyal to Heroes. But if the writers and producers don't pull things together this year, you have every right to turn away. Indeed, I would say that it is your obligation to turn away from bad TV, so as not to support it.
fendawg: Bueller?
Matthew_Gilbert: This isn't the movie chat.
fendawg: I guess it is a matter of tastes, nothing on HBO appeals to me anymore. Conchords I just don't get. Tried it, hate it.
Matthew_Gilbert: Give it time. I bet you'll be back at HBO by the end of next year. HBO has new executive leadership, and that will manifest itself in the schedule before too long.
LostFan789__Guest_: Do you think Lost has a great chance to win the Emmy this year? I don't think the competition is that tough.
Matthew_Gilbert: I wish it did. I'm thinking Mad Men is unstoppable at this moment.
LostFan789__Guest_: How do you feel about these NBC promos where they're mixing in content into them. I feel kind of deceived.
Matthew_Gilbert: NBC is leading the charge when it comes to mixing up commercials and content. That network is SHAMELESS. But I do love it when 30 Rock does product placement. The moments are always italicized....
boob_tube__Guest_: Matt,enjoy your articles. I'm 51 yr. old male that doesn't watch tv anymore. [other than an ocasional sport event. Miss hill st. blues,LA law etc. Can't stand the junk my 3 teenagers watch on MTV [room raiders,drew light].
Matthew_Gilbert: Thanks boob. Listen, there's still good stuff on TV. You just have to find it among all the junk. Mad Men, Dexter, 30 Rock, the Closer, Californication, Big Love, etc. etc.
stephanie__Guest_: I am excited for the Robyn- Barney relationship on 'How I Met Your Mother'
Matthew_Gilbert: I'm not. But I always get annoyed when sitcoms frenetically throw characters into and out of romances.
Matthew_Gilbert: The writers start to go against character, to create situations and diversions.
jpm__Guest_: How do you think the Direct TV/NBC split will work out for Friday Night Lights?
Matthew_Gilbert: Hmm. It will be an interesting experiment, won't it? I think it may work well, because I don't picture FNL viewers being the types who will watch the show illegally online, you know?
Matthew_Gilbert: Thank you all for showing up today. See you in a couple of weeks. MG
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